2012年7月23日星期一

buy jordan-Rush (10-8) drop season finale


CLEVELAND -- Not only will the Rush miss the playoffs for the first time in their 11-year Arena Football League existence, they lost their final game of 2012 in preposterous fashion.

Wide receiver Dominic Goodman made a 30-yard catch off the net behind the end zone on the game's final play to give the Gladiators their third touchdown in the final minute and a 60-54 win Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

Playing the ball expertly off the net, Goodman wrestled it away from a Rush defender.

The Rush finish the season at 10-8.

Quarterback Luke Drone was 20-of-29 for 311 yards and four scores for the Rush, including a 38-yard strike to Reggie Gray with nine seconds left to even the game at 54. Drone also rushed for two touchdowns in his second straight start following a season-ending injury to Russ Michna.

However, Drone also threw a terrible interception to Levy Brown with 25 seconds left, resulting in a 52-yard return for a score that allowed the Gladiators to take a 54-47 lead.

It appeared that the Rush would escape when Cleveland's Carlos Ojeda clanked his extra-point attempt off the left upright after Matt Bassuener hit Goodman with a 10-yard touchdown pass with 47 seconds remaining, then bounced his onsides kick out of bounds to give the Rush possession at the Cleveland 4 with a 47-46 edge.

But the Rush couldn't run out the remaining time and had to go for it on 4th-and-goal from the 3. Drone underthrew his pass into the right corner of the end zone and Brown picked it off, setting into motion a crazy and disappointing end to the season.


� � e �/O �I l returns for the third year.

Extra innings: Larkin's 16-year-old daughter, Cymber, sang the national anthem before Sunday's induction. ... When Bruce Sutter was introduced as one of the 44 Hall of Famers on stage for the ceremony, emcee Gary Thorne didn't reference his time with the Cubs, only the Cardinals. ... While Larkin mentioned many of his former teammates in his 33-minute speech, he never mentioned Ken Griffey Jr., who goes on the ballot in 2016. ... The 2014 induction should be a big one for Chicago fans. The White Sox's Frank Thomas and the Cubs' Greg Maddux will be on the ballot for the first time. ... The 2013 induction is set for July 28. It was moved up a week this season so it wouldn't overlap the start of the London Olympics.
gs. l s i �/O �I ng all five batters in two appearances, left-hander Donnie Veal was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. ... Pitcher John Danks hopes to resume throwing off a mound soon after reporting his left shoulder feels better after throwing from 120 feet.

air jordan shoes-Larkin gives shout-out to Rose


COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. Barry Larkin received loud cheers from the large contingent of Reds fans attending the Hall of Fame induction Sunday when he gave a shout-out to Pete Rose, who was his first big league manager.

Larkin, a Cincinnati native, was a fan of the Big Red Machine and considered it a thrill when Rose loaned him a bat and a pair of spikes for his first big league game.

"I wouldn't be in the big leagues without Pete Rose," said Larkin, who was speaking only a few feet from Commissioner Bud Selig, who has refused to lift Rose's ban for gambling on baseball.

Larkin also credited former teammates Davey Concepcion and Buddy Bell, who mentored him as a young player, along with Dave Parker and Eric Davis for helping him become a Hall of Fame player.

Larkin, a product of Moeller High School in Cincinnati, is one of six Hall of Fame players who played his entire career in his hometown, according to CBSSports.com. The last to do it was Baltimore's Cal Ripken Jr.

"Can you imagine the pride in that?" asked Davis, who sat next to Parker during Sunday's ceremony. "To play where you grew up, to play for the team you loved, to play in front of your parents and family every day, it doesn't get more special than that."

Next time around: No one knows quite what to expect for the 2013 induction, which will put the spotlight on the steroid era. Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Mike Piazza, Craig Biggio and Curt Schilling will be on the ballot for the first time. Jack Morris, who made a major jump in support last year, will be on the ballot for the 14th year, while Jeff Bagwell returns for the third year.

Extra innings: Larkin's 16-year-old daughter, Cymber, sang the national anthem before Sunday's induction. ... When Bruce Sutter was introduced as one of the 44 Hall of Famers on stage for the ceremony, emcee Gary Thorne didn't reference his time with the Cubs, only the Cardinals. ... While Larkin mentioned many of his former teammates in his 33-minute speech, he never mentioned Ken Griffey Jr., who goes on the ballot in 2016. ... The 2014 induction should be a big one for Chicago fans. The White Sox's Frank Thomas and the Cubs' Greg Maddux will be on the ballot for the first time. ... The 2013 induction is set for July 28. It was moved up a week this season so it wouldn't overlap the start of the London Olympics.
gs. l s i �/O �I ng all five batters in two appearances, left-hander Donnie Veal was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. ... Pitcher John Danks hopes to resume throwing off a mound soon after reporting his left shoulder feels better after throwing from 120 feet.

air jordans-Sox's Reed still Ventura's top option to close games


DETROIT Manager Robin Ventura left some wiggle room Sunday in the event he wants more than one option for the closer's role.

One day after acquiring veteran reliever Brett Myers, Ventura said he would opt for the best matchup to start the ninth inning in save situations.

"It's always that way, but (Addison) Reed pretty much is going to get it most of the time," Ventura said.

Meanwhile, Myers didn't arrive in Detroit until after 4 a.m. Sunday because of flight delays in Phoenix, but he was eager to join a playoff contender after enduring a rebuilding program in Houston.

"Whenever they call my number, I'll be ready," said Myers, who warmed up in the ninth inning of Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Tigers. "It doesn't matter. That's what I'm here for."

Eye on Peavy: The bright colors on A.J. Pierzynski's left fingertips haven't been enough to help the vision of Jake Peavy, who was called for a balk Friday while leaning in to see the signals.

Peavy said he wears contact lenses but is afflicted with astigmatism.

"We have made progress, but my vision is only 20/40," Peavy said. "They made me special contacts with something like bifocals in the contacts. But at night, when it gets dark, I've had problems."

Peavy said he started to experience vision problems after the fifth inning and was called for a balk in the seventh that led to an insurance run.

Peavy added that sometimes two fingers may be signaled differently and will indicate different pitches, but that he has crossed up the catcher on occasion because he saw only one of the fingers.

"A.J. has stuff all over his hands," Peavy said. "We just try to do the best we can. We're trying to find a happy medium. There's no excuse. I was in too big of a hurry (Friday). I have to stay under control and understand that's going to happen. I'm sure (Pierzynski) gets frustrated. But he understands there's nothing we can do."

Extra innings: Despite retiring all five batters in two appearances, left-hander Donnie Veal was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. ... Pitcher John Danks hopes to resume throwing off a mound soon after reporting his left shoulder feels better after throwing from 120 feet.